Luke 19:28–40 (NRSV)
Read Luke 19:28–40 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Verse 29When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, Verse 30saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. Verse 31If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'" Verse 32So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. Verse 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" Verse 34They said, "The Lord needs it." Verse 35Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. Verse 36As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. Verse 37As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, Verse 38saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!" Verse 39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." Verse 40He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
Devotion
I remember that Palm Sunday! I was home from college. The pastor recruited me to play the part of Jesus. I was to ride a donkey—yes, an actual donkey!—through the church parking lot, surrounded by Sunday School children, waving palms and shouting “Hosanna!”
But the donkey wouldn’t budge; the kids wouldn’t shout; the drama didn’t happen that day.
We can only imagine Jesus’ entry into the Holy City. If someone had explained, “The Lord needs it,” would you have given your colt? If the multitudes sang and shouted their blessings, would you have joined in? Or would you have “shushed” like a Pharisee?
Good news! You haven’t missed your chance! Today is another opportunity to vigorously glorify the Lord, and to declare God’s blessing and peace to people in the city.
Prayer
“Blessed are you, Jesus! Let your Spirit move me to praise you today, even on the streets of my city. Amen.